The proposed national healthcare insurance scheme could turn out to be a “very unpopular” move, Gerakan deputy president Chang Ko Youn warned today.

gerakan agm ndc 111008 chang ko youn However, Chang ( right ) encouraged the government to openly engage the people before implementing its plan.

“I am not sure if this is a good scheme as I do not have enough information, however, preliminary reports suggest it is akin to socialised medicine modelled on the United Kingdom’s National Health Service.

“I am not sure if this is best for Malaysia? I believe Malaysians want choices and any proposal that robs them of their right to choose will be very unpopular,” said Chang.

He stressed that Malaysians have to be given “precise details” of the scheme in order to make an informed decision.

“What we need is an open discussion and a national debate where everyone can give their views. This is too important an issue to benefit only certain special interest groups at the expense of the people,” he said.

Medical practitioners and consumer groups have mounted criticisms against the new scheme dubbed ‘1Care for 1Malaysia’, claiming that employees and employers will be forced to contribute as much as 10 percent of their monthly income to a government-run insurance fund.

“I find the need for greater taxation rather unsettling as it will affect the disposable income of most Malaysians who are already struggling to make ends meet.

“I am not sure if all Malaysians spend 10 percent of their (earnings) on medical bills? All these matters need to be thoroughly studied. I do not think it is wise for the health ministry to rush through such a game-changing proposal,” said Chang.

He added that the party’s central health bureau chairperson Dr Ng Keong Chye will seek a meeting with Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai to obtain further information on the 1Care proposal.